New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-26
THE VEDDER BILL CONFLICT.
DEMOCRATIC FILIBUSTERING PREVENTS
ACTION ON THE MEASURE.
VALUABLE TIME wAsTED--THE REPUBLICANS WILL
PASS THE BILL THIS MoRNING-How ITS
OPPONENTS WILL SUFFER.
TBY TELEGRArH TO THE TRIpuNEl

Democratic Senators voted unanimously against the
measure, and to-day the Democratic Assemblymen
with equal unahimity flibustered to prevent its
passage in the Assembly No disguise made of the
fact by the Democratic members of the Legislature
that they intend to seek the support of the liquor
dealers OF the State. Early to-day the Republican
leaders of the Assembly saw hat they must do some
thing to push the bill to vote it would be sub
tect to the Ier Of defeat by the Democrats by their
hlibusterng tomorrow Ii there to be any flbus
terng, the Republicans preferred to encounter 1t to-
day. Then there would be one day to spare tc over
come the obstructive tactics Besides, they knew that
fight over the would arouse party spirit IN
the breasts o, certain lukewarm Republicans who
had not perceived that the Democrats had already
made the bill party issue.
Mr. Sheehan, the Democratic leader, displayed bad
tact today in srousng the Republicans to earnest
support of the BILL and by doing played into their
hands. Ex-Speaker Erwin 1t who made the
initial motion the bill for the Republicans and led
them ia the fight. He fought like lion for the
measure and has more brilliantly shown his
ability as q party leader. He was determined,
pugnacous, adroit. and persevering and he won the
battle great odds. He moved to lay the table
all bills the order OF third reading down to the
Yedder bill in order to read that measure. There
were about 200 bills that bad the precedence of it.
Dir. Sheeban instantly put on his armor aud hurled
this javrn ut the bill
Mr. Speaker, does not Mr.. Erwin's motion require
a two thirds majority T.
Speaker Husted-The Chair thinks it does.
Nearly all of the Republicans followed Mr. Ell wins
lead. Several Of them were out OF the chamber
when the vote began and in consequence OF this Mr..
Erwin was beaten his motion by vote OF 90 to 90
The majority composed OF fifty-two Democrats.
and sevea Republicans. These seven Republicans
Edward Gallagher, of Erie g. II. Henry, OF
New-York; Mase, of Dutchess; Maurer, OF Monroe
Charles Smith, OF New-York; Martin A. Smith, OF
Sullivan, and John Reitz, OF Brooklyn.
Mr.. Erwin was not discouraged Al hour later he
moved that the Vesder bill be now read"
Mr.. Sheehan put his again and said ex-
citedly that the Republicans should not pass the bill
In this manner.
Mr. Erwin cooly replied that Il ey would pass that
bill II all other measures had to tail.
well, 1t s about time that you begin then' said
Mr.. Sheehan, jumping up and down in the main aisle
angrily. Tho Democratic Assemtlymen came tum-
bling into the chamber Ia response to Sheehans frantic
calls tor help. The Republicans also Came hastily
into the room aud Loyalty supported Mr. Erwin.
When the votes were counted 1t was found that Mr..
Erwns motion was lost 80 to 80.
Mr. Erwin persisted. He was confident all OF the
Republican Asseublymen were not present He moved
q cal OF the House.
Mr.. sheehan instantly began his 6libustering. He
moved TO Law the cal on the table Beaten-59 to 62.
Mr.. Erwin bad won his first victory His motion tor
n call OF the House was carried-63 TO 81.
Speaker Hustled gave orders that strangers should
leave the Chamber. This was done and the doors
locked. A roll call showed that 12f members were
present and soon atterward the only four memo oers
nbscnt-Fitch. Manville, Vandemark and McKenna-
were admitted to the chamber. Thus for the first
tine since the session began the 1913 Assemblyuen
were present Mr.. Erwin announced that no proposed
b set aside ono after the otner all tho bills on the
table till the vcdder bill was reached. He moved to
set aside a bill on tho table affecting his own county
Mr. Sheehan dem landed tho yeas and nays on this
motion. Mr. Erwin carried it--66 to 56 Several
bills had thus been laid aside when Mr. Sheehan
adopted new method Of flbusterng. He moved
that the Assembly should adjourn till 10 o'clock ID
morrow morning Ho resolved bulldoze the Re-
publicnns into dropping the Vedder bill II possible
and attacked them in this fashion:
have made a motion that this adjourn till 10
o'clock omofrow morning. In order 70 save NE reputation
Judgment that adjourn forthwith In good faith have
% tSsp Ie Of yoar epaation But II We stay
doubt not IL will rebound TO our credit and the credit on tho
The other side OF this House and we number but atsy tSGr
10 pass. Is IN my JUDGMENT an Infamous one , =. -,
speaker usledThe gentleman Is not speak ng to tho
question lie cannot discuss the merits Of the tax Dill on ts
vsador r 'n'Shn iii caSo Sa"'' into 3. House Inc
leader. On this door have never this made
attempt TO get hi, bl before ths house ihere Is
Say toll the ssnemsn from St Lawrence tMr Erwin
ci ago they taken hS Psi9. to see see
he interest. the Si at heart It
they % In p they n WG" M nHve @ se hour f
the session q become, the gentleman rom 81 Lawrenee
lar forget msoifas attempt THIS way 70 gag the MI.
state is opposed TO-
Tho Republicans laughed at Mr. sheehan as he was de-
liverng this speech They then calmly voted down his
motion adjourn by q yOto OF 60 to-
Mr.. Erwin pugnaciously moved that another bill should
he set aside Mr. Sheehan mopping the perspiratIoh
from aud looked exhausted, but his devices
to prevent action the Yedder bill wero not yet ex-
hausted Hc moved a call OF the house and was beaten
a to 65 Mr. Erwin's motion was hen adopted-6l TO
So The yeas and nays then ed on all these mo-
tions and good deal Of time was wasted.
The Democrats who had bills to pass began to think
that sheehan was carrying his hbustering too far ana
OF them hnted to the Republicans that they wod
like TO make n comproml5e. Perhaps this Information
WAS carried to Speaker Huste he displayed flag OF
truce after an hour had been wasted by tho Demo
Gratis I'm aibustering. Addressing the Assembly the
Speaker said
becoming chd play Ihers are on ss. desk Thsrs sRs
measure, pending the Senate SsSos aw
under this ,ats OF thns' a sa. shy MS sHSe
faa Son In ihe interest G good legislation OF
coure between tho members St Ins OF this House.
shah go on hst the vs s % @ O1 which is the
bone Of contention shall cOnsent be presented
House aud that the members may haSg na or
negative The believes is due TO every member % T,o OF
eceIng go on ~ within tho rule but Is hhou''
While speaker Hustled was making this address Mr.
shcehau was obstinately shaking his head He would
not make any compromise although the Democratic AS
sembymen all around him looked imploringly at hm'
lie said:
that the proceedings Of this morning were not IN
cited BY they being carried out with the oi
the Speaker OF this House believe that the speaker docs
moi approve OF such procedure have said TO many me
bes OF this floor that there perfectly parliamentary
ray 10 read this bill While OF our members may DO
willing TO discuss IT, will object to the reading OF tne
Veder bill order much as desire 10 sec inc i
ortant legislation on the desk disposed Of warn you that
You cannot reach bill By 10 morrow In this manher
There re y four men who perfectly willing 10 90
without food or drink to maiutaln their rights
Mr. Erwin thought time had come for some kepuo-
can talk lie get tho votes OF the Republicans
for the bill and appealed in most powerful way 10
their party spirit When he had finished his speech no
had the Republicans substantially at his back He said:
Tho gentleman from Erie (Mr sheehanl perhaps knows Knows
quite good DEAL but there Is no parlaen way w. hs
oIr rules to pass bill without twotfus vote WeDo
ye this b i'm the interest tho taxpayers OF the state
We are pursuing this legitimate course 70 pass hs oi ana %